Control means for vehicle axles



Aug. 26, 1952 1.. o. BURT CONTROL MEANS FOR VEHICLE AXLES 2SI-IEETSSHEET l Filed Jan. 15, 1949 INVENTOR. 60 '0. Buff um ILILIIVAug. 26, 1952 L. 0'. BURT 2,608,401

CONTROL MEANS FOR VEHICLE AXLES Filed Jan. 15, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2nvmvroa 60 0. Bar? Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE2,608,401 CONTROL MEANS FOR VEHICLE AxLEs .Leo 0. Burt, 'Dearborn,Mich., assignor to Willys- Overland Motors, Inc., Toledo, Ohio, acorporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1949, Serial No.'71,058

This invention relates to vehicles and more especially to. anarrangement for limiting or controlling the relative vertical movementbetween an'axle a'nd the frame of a'vehicle in which the axles areconnected to the frame by means of pringsl Vehicles having framessupported upon springs andparticularly of the four wheel drive type arebeing utilized as prime movers for powering soil .moving or-cultivatingimplementssuch as scrapers, plows, cultivatcrs, barrows and the like"through attachment of the implement direct to the vehicle or to animplement control or lifting device mounted upon the vehicle. In theoperation of such a vehicle when utilized for scraping,

plowing, cultivating, etc, thevehicle springs are subjected to widevariations in load due to the irregularity in terrain or in the varyingcharacteristics of the soil or earth being moved or cultivated or causedby obstructions encountered are versatile in their application in thatthey may be used for earth or soil moving or cultivating purposes asabove mentioned or used for rapid transportation on paved roadways. Inthe latter use it is desirable that their riding characteristics asflfaras comfort is concerned should be comparable to a conventional passengervehicle and in such use the spring arrangement for connecting the axleswith theframe should be capable of the usual substantially free verticalmovement to secure desirable riding characteristics. In utijlizing sucha vehicle for plowing, cultivating or other'soil moving operations, theusual vertical clearance for movement of the vehiclerear axle withrespect to the frame has resulted in certain instances .in thedisadvantage of nonuniformity l owingorcultivating depth in the soil.

present invention embraces a means for limiting,the relative verticalmovement of an 6 Claims. (01. 267-30).

'be preferred;in which": I

Figure '1' isan elevation'alwiew of a vehicle invention in anout-'of-use' position; Figure 3 is a transverse 'sectionalview takenaxle with respect to the frame'in a'sprung' vehicle when the same isused with earth'movingbr soil cultivating implements. Another object ofthe invention resides in the provision of an adjustable or retractable"means which maybe readily moved'into the locusmf verticalmovement ofthe axle with respect to'the frame for restrictingrelativemovemenflpfthe frame withrespectto the axle duringsoil moving 10 orplowing operations andwhich maybe with-- drawn to anout-of-use'positionwhen the vehicle is used fortransportationpurposes'and th''lilge.

Furtherobjects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch "as relate to the rirangement, operation andfunction 'oftlijrelated elements of the structure; tov'arious'details ofconstruction and to combinations of: perta nements per se, and toeconomics of manufacture and numerous other features as'will beapparentfrom a considerationof the specification and.

drawing of a form of theinve'ntion, f may showing a" soil workingimplement attached thereto; r 2 Figure an an elevatiorral viewshowin'gfa portion'of the vehicle with the arrangement of substantiallyon theline 3--3 of'Figure Zshowi'ng the'arrangementof my invention in aposition Figure 4 is anenlarged detail view of the ar- "rangementofmyinvention certain 'pa'rtsT ofth vehicle frame being shown in section;

Figure 5 is a detail vertical sectional view taken or substantially onthe 1ine'5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an'isometric view illustratingthe means for limitingarelative verticalzmovement -oi the vehicle frame with respect toianaxle, and

. Figure Tis a detailsectional view taken-on the line -'l--'|- of Figure6. i

While I have illustrated the arrangement of my invention as embodied ina vehicle ofthefour wheel drive type especially adaptable for carryingon agricultural and soil moving operations. it is to be understood thatthe arrangement of my invention may be utilized with any type of vehiclewherein the vehicle frame is connected to analgle by spring meanswherein it is desired under certain load conditions'to limit therelative vertical plow members and coulter wheels 42.

by means of links 41 and 48.

i to the plow at three spaced points.

movement of the frame and body with respect to an axle.

Referring to the drawings in detail I have illustrated an embodiment ofmy invention incorporated in a vehicle having four power driven wheelsand adapted to be used per se as a road vehicle and which is readilyadaptable for use as a prime mover for powering agricultural implementssuch as plows, barrows, cultivatcrs and the like. The vehicle shown isinclusive of a body Ill having a hood portion II which encloses theengine or other power unit for propelling the vehicle. The forwardportion of the 'body is provided with a cowl l2 upon which is mounted awindshield M. The vehicle is provided with an operators seat i5 to therear of which is formed a truck or package compartment 16. The vehicleis provided with a steering post I! and steering wheel IS. A suitableframe construction 20 supports the body and engine or power unit and isinclusive of longitudinally extending channel members 2| andtransversely extending members 22 connecting members 2|.

The vehicle is supported upon front and rear drive wheels designated 23and 24 respectively which 5 are driven through the medium of propellershafts connecting the axles with a transmission or gear set contained ina housing 25. The front axle Disposed within the axles 29 are driveshafts 31 which are driven by suitable differential drive gear mechanismcontained within a housing 38. welded or otherwise secured to the axle29 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

As particularly shown in Figure l, the vehicle --is illustrated inconjunction with earthworking implement or plow although it is to beunderstood -that other types of soilmoving or workinginstrumentalitiesmay be connected to and adapted to be pulled oroperated by the vehicle. In the drawings, a connecting means between thevehicle and the plow includes a hydraulic or other .implement control orlifting mechanism. The -plow illustrated in Figure 1 is of conventionaldesign and includes a plow frame 4!; carrying The plow frame 48 isconnected to the lift mechanism There are two of the links 4'! and onelink 48 which are connected The central link 48 is connected to ahousing 49 by means of a pin 5!! the housing 49 enclosing a piston andcylinder arrangement (not shown) forming a power means or actuator forhydrau-' lically raising and lowering the earthworking implement orplow. The links 4'! are connected by means of pins 52 with brackets 53carried by a transversely extending member 54 which is secured todepending members 55 connected to the transversely extending rear framemember 22.

i Ang ularly disposed struts 5'! connect the member .55 with the frameto provide a strong and rigid 2 structure for connecting the soilworking implement to the vehicle.

The drawbar links ll are connected by means I .of rods 5a with arms E90which are journaled upon the houslng 49 and are connected to the pistonPads 33 are.

(not shown) of the lift mechanism contained within the housing 49. Areservoir BI is mounted adjacent the vehicle operators compartment andcontains fluid for operating the implement lifting mechanism. A fluidpump (not shown) driven by the vehicle engine is connected with areservoir GI and the cylinder contained within housing 49 for directingfluid under pressure to the lift mechanism. The lift mechanism iscontrolled by means of a lever 63 mounted upon the reservoir 6| whichactuates valve mechanism for controlling the flow of pressure fluid.

When the plow or implement is in operative or plowing engagement withthe soil, forces or stresses are placed upon vehicle frame not only intension but vertically acting forces which urge the frame downwardlyflexing the spring assembly 30 thus bringing the rear axle 29 close tothe vehicle frame 29. The resultant vertically acting force on thevehicle frame causes a flexing of the spring assemblies 30 until theresist ance of the spring counterbalances the downwardly acting force.However, in soil working operations, the resistance acting on theimplement moving through the soil is variable due to several forces, vizthe condition of the soil as being dry or moist, the character ofthe'soil, the working depth of the implement or the presence ofobstructions in the soil which temporarily increase the stressesimparted to the vehicle;-

The vehicle frame is normally provided with buffer or abutment blocks 65preferably formed of rubber or other resilient material vulcanized toplates 66 which are secured by bolts 61 01 other suitable means to theframe membersZl.

These buffer blocks 65 are disposed a vertical distance above thevehicle axle sufficient to permit extensive jounce of the axle to takecare of road irregularities encountered in normal use of the vehicle onhighways. When, however, the vehicle is utilized for operatingearthworking implements, variable forces encountered in these operationsresult in a varying of the relative position of the frame of the vehiclewith respect to the axle 29 which forces are usually insufiicient tocause the axle 29 to engage the buffer blocks 65 to limit the relativemovement betweenthe axle and the frame but cause a vertical movement ofthevehicle body which movement impairs the proper functioning of thesoil working implement or plow. In order to overcomethis difficulty Ihave provided means forming an abutment especially adapted for useduring soil working operations providing a seat or stop to reduce therelative vertical movement of the frame with respect to the axle toprovide for more uniform v plowing and soil working operations as wellas to minimize the shocks transmitted to the vehicle operative positionas shown in Figure .4, each buffer block 65 will rest in a depression 13formed by an upturned end 14 and two wings or side flanges l5 and 1'5.The side flanges l5 and Hi of element '12 are arranged to straddle ablock 65 so as to prevent lateral displacement of the abutment member'10 With respect to the buffer block 65. Each element 12 is'preferabl'ybent Lniinatingin a hook=like..confignmtion .8tiiprovidamanipulating.means:iora movinmthe Selement 12 to its operative andnonoperative positions. :Eachelemen't12is'iormed with alongitudinal-slot 8| to accommodate a pin or' shaft 82 with a reducedthreaded portion 83 which extends through an opening in the framemember,

2|, the pin being secured to the frame by means of a nut 84. The pin isformed at its lower extremity with a head 85 and disposed between thehead 85 and a washer 86 is an expansive coil spring 81. The spring 81provides an upwardly acting force on element 12 to frictionally hold thelatter in its operative and nonoperative positions.

The operation and functioning of this device is as follows: When thevehicle is being driven upon a roadway where substantially free springaction is desired, the abutment member Ill and its supporting means 12is moved to an out-ofuse position as shown in Figure 3 and in dottedlines in Figure 4. In this position the rubber block of abutment 65provides for normal jounce or movement limiting means for the axle 29,the maximum relative vertical movement being restricted by engagement ofthe pads 33 with the abutment blocks 65. When the vehicle is used withan earthworking implement as shown in Figure l, the operator moves theelements 12 in a right-hand direction as viewed in Figures 3 and 4 tothe position shown in Figure 4. In this position the abutment blocks 10are disposed beneath and in alignment with the abutment blocks 65 thecompressive force of spring 81 serving to hold the elements 12 andblocks Ill in operative position. The members 12 are positioned with theabutment blocks 10 in alignment with blocks 65 so that the wall of eachdepression 13 contacts the lower surface of a block 65 in which positionthe lugs or flanges l and 16 prevent lateral shifting of the blocks I0and the members or elements 12. As particularly shown in Figure 4, themaximum relative vertical movement of axle 29 is greatly limited, beingdetermined by the engagement of the axle pads 33 with the blocks 10. Inthis manner variation in stress imparted to the implement when the sameencounters obstructions in the earth during plowing or the like causes aminimum of vertical deflection or movement of the frame and body. Thisarrangement facilitates more uniform depth control of the earthworkingimplement. When it is desired to provide for maximum jounce or movementof the axle 29 relative to the vehicle frame, the operator moves orslides the elements 12 and blocks in a lefthand direction as viewed inFigures 3 and 4 to an out-of-use position. While any number of thesedevices may be disposed above an axle, I have found that a pair ofdevices spaced so that an abutment is adjacent each end of the axle andin alignment with the longitudinally extending main frame membersfunction satisfactorily.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle having a frame and axle construction wherein the axle isconnected to the rrame through spr ing gmeans ror limiting r therelative vertical movement between'saidiaxle and "vehicle framennudiagan element movably-sup- "ported upon *the f-rame; an "abutmentblock formed of yielda ble material carried by said "element;said-element being movable to a position disposing the abutment block inregistration with a locus of movement 'ofthe axle "in verticaldirection, and. resilient by biased means forrfrictionally retainingsaid element in aldius'ted'positions relative to said frame.

2. In combination with a vehicle having a frame and axle and springmeans connecting the axle with the frame; means for limiting therelative vertical movement between the axle and frame including anabutment block formed of v rubber; a supporting element for the abutmentblock; said element being movably supported upon said frame fordisposing said abutment block in an operative and nonoperative position,and resilient means biasing said element into engagement with the framefor frictionally maintaining said element and abutment block in adjustedpositions.

3. In combination with a vehicle having a frame and axle constructionwith spring means connecting the axle with the frame; means for limitingthe relative vertical movement between the axle and frame including aresilient abutment block; a pin carried by the vehicle frame; a sheetmetal bar supporting the abutment block; said bar being slidablerelative to said frame for disposing said abutment block in an operativeand nonoperative position, and a coil spring cooperating with the pinand said bar for frictionally securing the bar and abutment block inadjusted positions.

4. A device for limiting the relative vertical movement between avehicle axle and frame including in combination an abutment block; anelement connected to said abutment block; a pin carried by the vehicleframe and extending through a slot in said element; said abutment blockbeing movable to a position to be engaged by said axle upon the relativevertical movement between said axle and frame and movable to anout-of-use position, and spring means cooperating with said pin andelement to resiliently maintain said abutment block and element inadjusted positions.

5. In a device for limiting the relative vertical movement between avehicle frame and axle including an abutment block, a sheet metalelement supporting said abutment block; said sheet metal element beingformed with a slot; a pin supported upon said frame and extendingthrough said slot; means formed on said metal element for locating theabutment block in an operative position to be engaged by said axle uponrelative vertical movement between said axle and vehicle frame, and acoil spring surrounding said pin for resiliently holding said elementand abutment block in operative or nonoperative positions.

6. In a device for limiting the relative vertical movement between avehicle frame and axle including a buifer block secured to the frame; anabutment block, a sheet metal element carrying said abutment block; saidsheet metal element being formed with a slot; a pin supported upon saidframe and extending through said slot; means formed on said metalelement for positioning the abutment block in engage ment with thebuffer block and arranged to be 7 engaged by said axle upon relativevertical movetive or nonoperative positions.

mentbetween said axle and vehicle frame, and

LEO o. BURT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ,ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Date Name Roberts Aug. 22, 1916Martin July 30, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 5,192a

